Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be named in Portugal's World Cup 2026 squad, making him the first outfield player to appear in six World Cups. At 41, still scoring in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr, his inclusion is both a monumental sporting story and a genuine tactical dilemma for manager Carlo Ancelotti. The debate dividing Portuguese football is not about Ronaldo's legacy, which is secure, but about whether his presence in the squad helps Portugal win or actively hinders them. Follow all World Cup squad announcements live on iScore.ai.
The argument has been crystallised by Jonathan Wilson and other analysts who have described Ronaldo's presence as "more a curse than a blessing." The case is not personal. It is statistical, tactical, and increasingly difficult to refute. Portugal have one of the most talented squads in the tournament. The question is whether carrying a 41-year-old who can no longer press, run in behind, or contribute to the defensive structure is a luxury they can afford.
The numbers tell the story of decline
Ronaldo's individual numbers at Al-Nassr remain respectable in the context of the Saudi Pro League. He won the league title in the 2025-26 season, his scoring rate has been consistent, and his physical conditioning at 41 is genuinely remarkable. No athlete in football history has maintained this level of performance at this age.
But the context matters enormously. The Saudi Pro League is significantly slower and less physically demanding than the top European divisions. The pressing intensity is lower. The tactical sophistication of defending is not comparable. What works in Riyadh does not necessarily translate to a World Cup match against elite international opposition.
Ronaldo's World Cup record itself tells a story. Eight goals in 22 appearances across five tournaments. One knockout-stage goal, a penalty against Switzerland in 2022. His best tournament was 2018, when he scored four goals in the group stage, including a hat-trick against Spain, before Portugal were eliminated by Uruguay in the round of 16. In 2022, he scored one penalty and was dropped to the bench for the knockout rounds by Fernando Santos after a poor group stage.
The pattern is clear: as Ronaldo has aged, his World Cup impact has diminished. The physical attributes that made him unplayable in his prime, explosive pace, aerial dominance, relentless pressing, have eroded. What remains is a supreme finisher who needs the game to be played in front of him, a profile that is increasingly difficult to accommodate in a modern tactical system.
Ronaldo's World Cup history: a pattern
A tournament-by-tournament look at Ronaldo's World Cup career reveals a trajectory that should concern anyone arguing for his inclusion as a starter in 2026.
2006 (age 21): One goal, one assist. Portugal reached the semi-finals. Ronaldo was a young winger, not yet the goalscoring machine he would become. His contribution was limited but promising. The team was built around Luis Figo and Deco.
2010 (age 25): One goal, one assist. Portugal went out in the round of 16 to Spain. Ronaldo was in his prime at Real Madrid but could not carry a limited Portugal side. The tournament was a disappointment individually and collectively.
2014 (age 29): One goal, one assist. Portugal were eliminated in the group stage. Ronaldo was carrying a knee injury and was visibly hampered. It remains his worst World Cup.
2018 (age 33): Four goals, zero assists. The hat-trick against Spain was one of the great World Cup performances. But Portugal went out in the round of 16 again, and Ronaldo's influence faded after the group stage.
2022 (age 37): One goal (a penalty), zero assists. Ronaldo was dropped for the knockout rounds. Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 in the round of 16 with his replacement, Goncalo Ramos, scoring a hat-trick. The message was unmistakable: Portugal were better without him.
Across five tournaments, Ronaldo has never scored in a World Cup semi-final or final. He has never carried Portugal beyond the last four. His best World Cup performances have come in the group stage against moderate opposition. The pattern suggests that building a team around him at 41 would be a mistake.
The Portugal squad does not need him
The strongest argument against Ronaldo's inclusion is the sheer quality of Portugal's attacking options without him. This is not 2014, when Portugal lacked depth and Ronaldo was the only world-class player. The 2026 squad is loaded with attacking talent in its prime.
Rafael Leao, if fit and selected, offers pace, dribbling, and direct running that Ronaldo can no longer provide. Diogo Jota has been a reliable goalscorer for club and country. Joao Felix, though inconsistent, offers creativity and movement. Goncalo Ramos, whose hat-trick against Switzerland in 2022 replaced Ronaldo in the starting lineup, has continued to develop. And the wider squad includes Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias, a core of world-class players who form the spine of one of the most talented teams in the tournament.
Portugal's system under Ancelotti will likely be built around ball retention, controlled transitions, and the creativity of Fernandes and Silva. A striker who can press from the front, run the channels, and stretch defences fits that system better than a stationary target man who needs service in the box. Ronaldo's skill set, at 41, is narrower than it has ever been.
The comparison with 2022 is instructive. Portugal scored six goals against Switzerland in the round of 16 without Ronaldo starting. They looked more fluid, more dynamic, and more unpredictable. The same pattern could repeat in 2026: a stronger, more cohesive team without the obligation to feed the biggest name.
For more on Portugal's overall squad and World Cup prospects, see our full Portugal team profile.
The commercial and political pressure
The tactical case against Ronaldo is clear. But the decision is not purely tactical. Ronaldo's inclusion carries enormous commercial and political weight that Ancelotti must navigate.
Ronaldo remains the most marketable athlete in Portuguese sport. His presence in the squad generates media coverage, sponsorship deals, and global attention that benefits the entire team. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is acutely aware of this. World Cup revenue, from ticket sales to broadcasting rights to merchandise, is influenced by the star power of the players involved.
There is also a political dimension. Ronaldo is a national icon in Portugal, a symbol of the country's sporting identity. Leaving him out of the World Cup squad would be perceived by many supporters as disrespectful, regardless of the tactical justification. Ancelotti, an experienced manager who has dealt with egos at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, understands this dynamic.
The most likely outcome is a compromise: Ronaldo is named in the 26-player squad but is used selectively, perhaps as an impact substitute or starter in specific matches where his finishing ability can be maximised without compromising the team's pressing structure. This allows Portugal to honour Ronaldo's legacy while building the team around players who are better suited to the tactical demands of the modern game.
What Ancelotti decides
Carlo Ancelotti's track record suggests he will not be swayed by sentiment. One of the most successful managers in football history, with Champions League titles at AC Milan and Real Madrid, Ancelotti has made difficult decisions about legendary players throughout his career. He dropped Gareth Bale at Real Madrid. He managed the transition away from Andrea Pirlo at Milan. He is not afraid to make unpopular choices.
Ancelotti's preferred system typically features a mobile forward who can press and occupy defenders, creating space for creative players behind. At Real Madrid, this was Karim Benzema. At Portugal, the profile fits Diogo Jota or Goncalo Ramos more naturally than it fits the 2026 version of Ronaldo.
But Ancelotti is also pragmatic. He may calculate that Ronaldo's finishing, even at 41, remains a useful weapon in specific game states. Coming off the bench against tired defenders, with the score level in the final 20 minutes, Ronaldo's predatory instincts could still be decisive. The key is ensuring that his inclusion is a tactical choice rather than a ceremonial one.
The case for inclusion
For balance, it is worth stating the arguments in favour of Ronaldo's inclusion. They are not negligible.
First, his finishing. Even at 41, Ronaldo remains one of the most clinical finishers in the game. Inside the penalty box, his conversion rate and shot placement are elite. In a tournament decided by fine margins, having a player who can finish half-chances with ruthless efficiency is valuable.
Second, his experience. Six World Cups. Over 200 international caps. Countless high-pressure matches. That experience is not replaceable and can be valuable in a squad environment, even if the player is not starting every match.
Third, his physical conditioning. Ronaldo's dedication to fitness is legendary. He may be 41, but his body fat percentage and muscular conditioning are closer to a player ten years younger. If any athlete can defy the normal ageing curve, it is him.
Fourth, intangible impact. Ronaldo's presence in the squad raises the intensity of training. Younger players are challenged to match his standards. The competitive culture he brings, however demanding, can elevate a group.
The case against
The arguments against are equally strong, and in the view of many analysts, stronger.
First, the tactical cost. Modern international football requires every outfield player to contribute to pressing, counter-pressing, and defensive shape. Ronaldo, at 41, cannot press at the intensity required. His presence creates a structural weakness that opponents can exploit. In a tournament where one goal can eliminate you, this is a significant liability.
Second, the opportunity cost. Every minute Ronaldo spends on the pitch is a minute that a younger, more dynamic player does not get. Portugal's attacking depth is extraordinary. Using one of those 26 squad spots on a player who can only contribute in limited game states reduces the squad's overall flexibility.
Third, the psychological dynamic. The 2022 World Cup demonstrated what happens when the team is built around Ronaldo and it does not work. The tension between his expectations and the team's needs became a distraction. Santos eventually made the tough call to drop him, and the team immediately improved. Ancelotti must manage this dynamic from the start.
Fourth, the historical evidence. Aging superstars at World Cups rarely have fairytale endings. Pele in 1977. Maradona in 1994. The list of players whose final tournaments ended in disappointment or farce is long. Ronaldo's career deserves better than a tournament where he becomes a symbol of decline rather than greatness.
Historical precedent: aging stars at World Cups
Ronaldo is not the first legendary player to face this dilemma, and he will not be the last. The history of World Cups is littered with aging stars whose presence was debated, debated, and ultimately decided by factors beyond pure football logic.
Pele (1977). Pele's farewell match for Brazil was not at a World Cup, but the debate about when he should have retired from international football parallels Ronaldo's situation. Pele was 37 when he played his final match for Brazil. He was still capable of moments of brilliance but was no longer the player who had won three World Cups.
Diego Maradona (1994). Maradona was 33 when he played his final World Cup, overweight and past his prime. His inclusion was driven by his iconic status rather than his current ability. The tournament ended in disgrace after a failed drug test. It was a sad end to a brilliant career.
Miroslav Klose (2014). Klose provides a positive counter-example. At 36, he was used sparingly by Joachim Low but broke the all-time World Cup goalscoring record when he came off the bench against Brazil in the 7-1 semi-final. Klose's role was defined and limited, and it worked because Germany did not need him to be the focal point of the attack.
The lesson is clear: aging legends can contribute at World Cups, but only when their role is clearly defined and the team is not built around them. If Ancelotti can use Ronaldo in the way Low used Klose, as a specific weapon for specific moments, the inclusion makes sense. If Ronaldo expects to start every match and be the centre of the team, Portugal are better off without him.
For more World Cup squad analysis and predictions, see our guide to the biggest squad selection dilemmas and our coverage of Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr. For comprehensive World Cup coverage, visit iScore.ai.